Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

Gray Sutanto, an assistant professor of systematic theology and author, shares his incredible journey from atheism to faith in Christ. He explores profound questions about why not everyone is saved and the nature of human sinfulness. Sutanto challenges common beliefs about inherent human goodness and discusses the theological concept of concupiscence. He also addresses the complexities of evangelism, underscoring the need to share the gospel with those who haven't heard it while reflecting on the story of Job's faith amid suffering.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Elizabeth Woodson to discuss how following Jesus is better than you could possibly imagine.Questions Covered in This Episode:How would you explain what the gospel is for those who don’t know?What inspired you to write “Embrace your Life,” what is it about?What story is the bible telling us?How does our story either fit or not fit into the Story of the Bible?What would you say to someone who says it feels childish to put their hope in Jesus?Guest Bio:Elizabeth Woodson is a Bible teacher and author who is passionate about equipping believers to understand the rich theological truths of Scripture. She loves helping people internalize their faith and connect it practically to everyday life. She is a contributing author for World on Fire and the author of Embrace Your Life: How to Find Joy When the Life You Have Is Not the Life You Hoped For. She is also a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Christian Education.Resources Mentioned:“Embrace Your Life” by Elizabeth Woodson Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by James Eglinton to have a conversation about the arguments for and against euthanasia, how Christians should think about it, and where our hope can be found.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is euthanasia? What is this conversation about? How does it connect to The Great British Bake Off?Why might people be in favor of euthanasia?What is your wife's perspective as someone who is involved in geriatric care as a medical professional?How should Christians think about euthanasia?What are the compelling arguments against euthanasia?How can Christians enter into these spaces and conversations?What is it about being a human that makes us valuable?What is the meaning of suffering?Guest Bio:James Eglinton is the Meldrum Senior Lecturer in Reformed Theology at New College, the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of several books; including but not limited to, Trinity and Organism, Neo-Calvinism and the French Revolution, Herman Bavinck on Preaching and Preachers, and Bavinck: A Critical Biography. He serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Reformed Theology published by Bril and is a co-host for the Grace in Common podcastResources Mentioned:Prue Leith's Approach to Euthanasia is Imprudent by James Eglinton Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Justin Brierley have a conversation about if people are still asking if God is dead and why.Questions Covered in This Episode:Are people still asking if God is dead?What is driving that?Where do people tend to get stuck when they try to answer this question?How does the Christian heritage of our culture show the truth?Why is it so weird, that the God we believe in came to to earth to die?In your conversations with people, are they specific about who God is or more general about belief?Have you seen a story of suffering lead people to Jesus?What would you say to someone who wants to believe but is highly educated?Guest Bio:Justin is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. Justin has worked in radio, podcast and video for over two decades. Until April 2023 he was Theology & Apologetics Editor for Premier Christian Radio, and hosted the Unbelievable? radio show and podcast as well as the Ask NT Wright Anything podcast. Justin was also editor of Premier Christianity magazine from 2014-2018, for which he continues to contribute articles.He is the author of 'Unbelievable? Why, after ten years of talking with atheists, I'm still a Christian' and 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.' Justin currently co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen, and is a guest presenter for the Maybe God podcast. He has also recently launched The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief in God podcast documentary series.Justin is married to Lucy, a church minister in Surrey, and they have 4 amazing children - Noah, Grace, Jeremy and Toby.Resources Mentioned:“The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God” by Justin Brierley“Outgrowing God: A Beginner's Guide” Richard DawkinsThe Surprising Rebirth Of Belief in God Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by John Dickson to discuss if history discredits Christianity.Questions Covered in This Episode:Why are the core Christians's beliefs not surprising to a first century Jewish rabbi, known as Jesus?When were the Gospels written and how can we be sure?What about the claim that Jesus is God in the flesh, where is the evidence of that?Can you give us background on Constantine?What happened during the Crusades?Guest Bio:John Dickson started out as a professional singer-songwriter and now works as an author, speaker, historian, and media presenter. He was the Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. He has published over 20 books, two of which became television documentaries, with a third, For the Love of God: How the Church is Better and Worse Than you Ever Imagined, released in Australian cinemas in June 2018.John has held a variety of teaching and research positions before moving to Wheaton College, including in the Ancient History Department at Macquarie University (2002-2015), the Hebrew, Jewish and Biblical Studies Department at Sydney University (2011-2021), Ridley College Melbourne (2019-2022), and the Faculty of Classics at the University of Oxford (2015-2023). A busy public speaker, he lives in Wheaton, Illinois, with his wife Elizabeth and the youngest of their three children.Resources Mentioned:1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 2Undeceptions Podcast“Bullies and Saints” by John Dickson Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gavin Ortlund, an expert on divine transcendence and the incarnation, explores why God doesn't make Himself obvious. They discuss misplaced expectations, the limitations of human understanding, and the veiled nature of God's revelation through Jesus. They also address the unfairness objection and emphasize the importance of missions and seeking God.

Hey there! Get ready for an exciting season where we're going to talk about some big questions that people have about Christianity. Every Tuesday, we'll dive into topics like why God isn't more visible, what Christianity says about love and relationships, and how science and faith can fit together. We'll discuss if things like resurrection and euthanasia make sense in Christianity, and we'll even talk about whether the Bible has anything to say about tough issues like slavery. So tune in each week, and if you've got questions, let us know so we can talk about them in future episodes. Don't forget to give us a review on iTunes! See you next week for our first episode! Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast explores the story of Mary and the doubts and controversy surrounding the virgin birth. It also reflects on the significance of Mary's presence in Jesus' life and the love of Jesus for humanity.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by her friend, Justine, who recently got baptized to answer some questions submitted by listeners!Questions Covered in This Episode:Do you have any advice for a first-time mom trying to keep up and stay connected to the church during the first six weeks? Any thoughts on how to practically lead a discipleship group for new moms?How should we understand passages like 1 Corinthians 14:33-36 or 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that say women should learn in silence?Why is the church referred to as “she;” is the church not the body of Christ?Will you respond to Matthew Vines's book “God and the Gay Christian”?Do you think it's important to have specific study groups for women in the church or do you find it more edifying to have men and women together to study? Any resources you would recommend?Do you think the command to “be fruitful and multiply” still applies to Christians today? What are your thoughts about Christian couples deferring having children?Do you think the Old Testament law applies to believers today? If so, in what way?Resources Mentioned:Isaiah 49:15, 1 Corinthians 14:33-36, 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Ephesians 5, Genesis 1:28, Matthew 28:18-20Knowing Faith“Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?” by Rebecca McLaughlin“Jesus Through the Eyes of Women” by Rebecca McLaughlinSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny Theologians Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/SubscribeFollow Us on Instagram and XProduced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Author Susan Lim joins Rebecca McLaughlin to discuss her book 'Light of the World.' They explore the origins of the Bible, the reliability of the New Testament, the inclusion of morally shocking failures of the apostles, the sacredness of the Old Testament, and the author's personal journey from Buddhism to Christianity.